Clarification from the agency

Open to all US citizens. Current permanent VHA employees provide your most recent SF-50 with your application. All resumes must include name of college and date graduated, to include valid APRN Licensure and state obtained. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. NOTE: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

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FUNCTIONS OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:
The Chief APN is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who is a senior level leader.

Executive leadership characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. The Chief APN is responsible for leadership of service and programmatic operations, both clinical and administrative. They function as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with all clinical services/programs at the facility or network level, interdisciplinary service leaders, and executive leadership. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relates effectively with customers, families, and the community.

The Chief APN (1) Assists APNs, and interdisciplinary clinicians in carrying out the functions and activities expected of them, (2) Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of clinical practice, (3) Leads and collaborates in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs, and (4) Collaborates with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross services and/or disciplines that influence organizational mission and health care.

The Chief APN will include both clinical and administrative tasks: Clinical: Cheyenne or Northern Colorado Primary Care
Administrative: Designs the Mobile, and the Cheyenne or Northernm Colorado facility schedules, work with the Physicians in both Northern Colorado and Cheyenne to provide timely access to care, report to Associate Chief of Staff alterations to the clinic expected workload, follow PACT principals and coordinate the care to veterans with physicians at both Northern Colorado and Cheyenne through collaboration with other service line chiefs as applicable. Report on quality measures to Associate Chief of Staff, supervise Physicians at both Northern Colorado and Cheyenne and ensure quality medical care of the outpatient veteran patient(s).

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions or assistance.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Telework: This position is authorized for telework-situation (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as remote.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) (APN (NP)) Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant:
  • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or
  • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License and Certification:
  • License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
  • Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following:
    • The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) OR
    • The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) OR
    • Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

• Scope. Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.
• Education and Experience Requirements: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND Four years of APN (NP) experience, one of which is specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III.
• Dimension Requirement. APN (NPs) at Level IV must meet ALL the following dimension requirements:
  • Practice. Practices at an associate executive level, utilizing clinical, leadership and administrative skills, demonstrating continuing responsibility that influences the organizational mission, health care delivery and policy at the local and/or regional level.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads the application of clinical/business models, incorporating research/evidence-based practices, designed to achieve and sustain excellence in the delivery of health care at the service and organization levels.
  • Leadership. Creates and implements a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve organizational performance and attain measurable performance outcomes.
  • Professional Development. Establishes innovative, current, and future healthcare delivery models, policy/regulation, and governance to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, improving health outcomes.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Facilitates effective relationship management, communication, customer service experiences and negotiation across lifestyles using a broad range of technology platforms to influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond.

Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.